John Snyder – Acts 2 - http://ow.ly/2zp24

January 21 & 22, 2010

Jackson MS

‘Expect Great Things from God, Attempt Great Things for God’

“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities” (Isaiah 54:2-3 ESV).

Just over 200 years ago, this Easter, a distinct call of God to world missions came to Northamptonshire Baptists at Clipston in 1791, at the Association’s Easter gathering in the meeting-house on the hill. This was a gathering of the Particular Baptists, the forerunners of the present day Reformed Baptists. Of all the Association’s young leaders none exercised a weightier influence than John Sutcliff of Olney, and he was one of the preachers for that day. On two previous occasions Sutcliff had called the Association to earnest prayer for the conversion of the heathen. On this day at Clipston he preached on ‘Jealousy for God’, a message which became warmly missionary, as he pleaded for “…hearts which embrace a globe and every habitable shore”. Then followed Andrew Fuller’s striking sermon on ‘The Disaster of Delay’. The text was Haggai 1:2 – “This is what the LORD Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come for the LORD’s house to be built.’” This clarion call to world mission could scarcely have been clearer.

In trying to give a picture into the response of the audience to the preaching ministry at this Easter gathering, John Ryland wrote, “An unusual degree of attention was excited. I know not under which I felt the most. The mind of every one was possessed by a solemn conviction of our need of more zeal, and of the sin of negligence.”

Then William Carey appealed for action, striking while the iron was hot. He called for impression to be turned to expression, sentiment to service. He pleaded with them on Christ’s behalf to become His ambassadors to the world, and to venture forward to begin an overseas mission. To his warm mind it seemed that the child for Christ had long travailed was coming to the birth, and that this Association Day gathering was to be His manger. Had Clipston obeyed, it would have set its church upon a hill never to be hid. To its everlasting loss, the “wise and prudent” prevailed, who counselled the people to be non-committal and who would not take any initiative. Not even the two preachers of the day stood with Carey! They had not anticipated such a “hasty” response and drew back from Carey’s literal application of passionate urgings.

In May 1792, the Northampton Association gathered together in Nottingham. Wednesday May 31st, 1792, the Association had gathered together on an ordinary morning. They met at 6 am for prayer, and at 10 am for the first sermon, with William Carey in the pulpit. He preached that sermon that is now celebrated as having laid the foundation of the Missionary Society, the famous ‘The Deathless Sermon’. He took for his text: “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” He knew its song by heart, having so often read it in the original Hebrew, his only regret being that its Hebrew assonances were not echoed in the English translation. With Isaiah’s faith Carey’s soul was all aglow. From this text he deduced and enforced the two principles – ‘two plain, practical, pungent, quotable watchwords’ – which were embodied in the motto of the Mission, Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God. Into this sermon he poured the accumulated energy and passion of those feelings which had been gathering strength over eight years ever since he read Cook’s voyages, and determined on the establishment of a mission.

The Second Mission
At the beginning of February, two Zambian Reformed Baptist pastors Dr Grave Singogo and Victor Kanyense joined Anthony Mathenia from the United States returned for another missions-trip to Ethiopia. The team shared the teaching roles, beginning our time in Addis Ababa for a couple of days before driving 6 hours southwest to Jimma. The rural town with a characteristic Islamic touch to it has become what will be a hub for us to work out of. The welcome that we received from the Jimma Addis Kidan Baptist Church upon our return was heartwarming, and the congregation had more than four times multiplied from what we experienced on our first mission trip to the town.

Joining the mission team was a translator par-excellence, Solomon Abebe. Solomon came onto the team as an answer to the teams desire to increase the precision of the doctrinal issues that we were hoping to address in the preaching ministry. He was highly recommended by a great missionary friend of Anthony in Ethiopia. Solomon is a very conscientious Christian gentleman, with a passion for the glory and honour of the Lamb of God. With a clear theological acumen and an unfeigned love for the truth, Solomon’s ministry in translation added an important dimension to our preaching/teaching ministry. He would usually ask for a moment to explain some biblical concept for the understanding of the brethren. He was not merely translating word for word, but more importantly communicating the full biblical concepts so that the brethren understood exactly what was been taught. Solomon did a remarkable job at translating, exhibiting Christian grace and care. His grasp of English and Amharic mixed with an understanding of biblical truth and a knowledge of the religious/ecclesiastical climate within Ethiopian culture seemed unmatched in Anthony’s estimation. We long to work with and fellowship with our brother again.

Grave handled the topic of the gospel in the cross of Christ competently. He discussed in detail the necessity of the cross in the salvation of sinners and why it was necessary for Christ to die. He dealt with the centrality of the cross in the Christian message of hope to an otherwise hopeless world. He worked through scores of benefits that we, as sinners, receive as a result of the crucifixion of Christ. Grave’s approach to preaching the gospel is a precise, careful approach that is incredibly simple to understand and follow. This was his second opportunity to work in Ethiopia and we look forward to him joining another mission trip again. He will be in Uruguay, South America during our next scheduled trip and therefore will not be able to participate.

Victor, who has been dubbed the director of the Mission to Ethiopia, also pastors a local church just outside the capital city of Zambia. Victor’s role in the conference was to handle the gospel message from the gospel of John, using the teachings of John and Jesus to exhort the church and her leaders to apply and live upon the gospel continuously. Victor began with the premise of John 20:31, “these (things) have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name”, and from there expounded several passages from John’s gospel. His focus was on the seven miraculous signs of Jesus along with the seven “I AM” sayings of Jesus. He demonstrated that in the miraculous signs, we see the efficacious power of gospel painted in myriad colours. Each of these miraculous sign of the Lord was meant to show us that Jesus was really the promised Saviour of the world, and that believing we may have life in His name. The conversions of Nicodemus and the woman at the well were carefully used as examples of Jesus saving both the religious and the irreligious sinner. Then, Victor clearly showed the amazing benefits of Christ being our Good Shepherd from John 10 and the responsibility that those called to be pastors have of being healthy shepherds of God’s people.

The teaching seemed well received and we trust that it will be applied by all who attended. We are looking forward to the continued opportunity with these churches in Addis Ababa and Jimma, and to ones that have arisen as well. We appreciate your prayers and continued support for the work abroad, as well as, for our day to day lives, whether in Ethiopia, Zambia, or North Mississippi. The religious/ecclesiastical climate is more similar in all these lands than it may seem from the outside.  God and His gospel alone have the power to bring about the change we need.

We got back to Addis on Saturday, and started to get ready for the ministry of the Word in the churches in Addis. Grave went to preach at Yerer Addis Kidan Baptist Church, a 30 minutes drive west of Addis, in a more rural setting. He preached to a packed congregation that received God’s word with much enthusiasm. Victor preached for Pastor Abeje at Gululele Addis Kidan Baptist Church. The church is situated in the city of Addis. The Gululele congregation was lively and their response to the preaching of the gospel was heart warming.

The Third Mission
In early June, two Zambian Reformed Baptist pastor, Kennedy Sunkutu (of Kafue Reformed Baptist Church, Kafue) and Victor Kanyense (of Mount Makulu Baptist Church, Chilanga) made the third mission to Ethiopia. We joined our dear brother, friend and fellow-servant in the kingdom of God, Anthony Mathenia. This was the third mission trip Victor was making to Ethiopia, and the first for Kennedy. The theme of the conference was ‘The Spirit, Sin and Sanctification.’ Joining the mission team was our good Ethiopian brother and friend, Yoseph, who has faithfully provided the necessary logistical support in terms of driving while in Ethiopia. We thank the Lord, Solomon was again able to join the mission team in rather disconcerting circumstances for him and his dear wife, Alem. Solomon and Alem had recently experienced the anguish of loosing a pregnancy, a second in the roll. Joining the mission team for the first time was Michael Granger from the United States.

The mission team of six was headed for a 6 hour trip to Jimma, winding and snaking, up and down through the beautiful scenery of hills, mountains and valleys of central Ethiopia. We arrived in Jimma, the original home of coffee, and at our usual mission-operation-base, the Central Hotel of Jimma. After a late lunch, we took a brief rest in readiness for the first session at 17:00hrs at Jimma Addis Kidan Baptist Church. We were met by the usual admirable and enthusiastic gathering of the brethren. Anthony gave the keynote address, setting forth wonderfully the tone for the whole conference. Anthony preached from 2 Peter 1, pointing out the great need for holiness.

Kennedy took the biblical theme of ‘SIN’, giving an introduction to the topic by expounding Genesis 3 on the ‘Fall of the Human Race.’ He defined ‘sin’ as going away from the God’s law, the right way (1 John 3:4) hence the Bible’s use of other terms describing ‘sin’, such as ‘iniquity,’ ‘perversion,’ ‘rebellion’ against God, ‘trespassing’, ‘missing the mark,’ etc. He powerfully illustrated this from the account of the Fall in Genesis 3. He observed from this account that sin was wanting autonomy from God, to become a law unto oneself, independent from God and His law, to begin to do as you please. He argued that Adam was placing himself in opposition to God. He noted that we were not to dismiss what Adam and Eve did as simply “eating a fruit”. He eloquently argued that the response of God to the sin of Adam and Eve was not disproportionate to what Adam and Eve did. This was not merely an innocent and understandable act, unlike some heinous sin like murder or raping a woman. Rather, Adam and Eve exhibited outright disobedience to what God required of them. He required nothing less than perfect obedience. “Sin is not a transgression of what my friend thinks, or what he desires, but failure to yield to what God requires and demands of us,” he explained. Sin is essentially against God, rebellion against God. Kennedy continued to open up this biblical theme by discussing the reality of sin in total depravity.

Victor took to the pulpit with the biblical theme of SANCTIFICATION. He began by defining the biblical notion of ‘sanctification’ by expounding the vision of the LORD that Isaiah saw and experienced in Isaiah 6. He pointed out that the notion of sanctification must best be understood in the light of the holiness of God. Holiness is the very natter of God; the very essence of His being. The thrice holy God, signifying that God is intensely holy. Holiness is the shining brilliance of all of God’s perfections. It is the very backdrop of everything else that the Bible proclaims concerning God. Victor further developed from Isaiah 6 a threefold notion of holiness in the Old Testament, pointing out that holiness denoted in the first place the separateness or otherness of God (6:1-3); in the second place the absolute apartness of God from everything thing evil and unclean (6:4-5); and in the third place, the an unapproachability of God by sinners apart from holy sacrifice (6:5-7).

Victor went further to expound the call to holiness by calling attention to the New Testament teaching of the theme. He firstly emphasized the ethical dimension of holiness, stressing the inward rather than ritualistic holiness. Secondly he pointed out the normative character of holiness among God’s people, pointing out that holiness belongs to and is the hallmark of the Christian people. Thirdly, he showed that the New Testament envisaged holiness as the total transformation of the whole person: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23). He pointed out the necessity of holiness as essential encapsulating the call of God to all His people: “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thess. 4:7). Victor argued that holiness in the Christian life begins with incipient sanctification in an exposition of Romans 6:1-11. He pointed out that in conversion the Holy Spirit does a radical work of the Holy Spirit. From that point, the Spirit begins the ongoing work of progressive sanctification.

During our mission to Jimma, two members of our team fell ill, Solomon our translator and Michael. We are truly thankful to the Lord, both were back on their feet about a day or so after our arrival in Addis. We thank the Lord that He graciously sustained our brothers and granted them much grace for the trip back to Addis. Consequently, because Solomon was unwell for translating on Sunday, a good friend of his, Tesfaye Abadura, kindly accepted to translator for us. We last met him, when he dropped by to see Solomon, during our second mission trip to Ethiopia. They were together at the Ethiopia Theological College. Tesfaye is based in Jimma, and superintends over almost 500 Kale Heywott (‘Word of Life’) churches in Jimma and the south western part of Ethiopia. The Kale Heywott church is said to be the largest evangelical church movement in Ethiopia, established 83 years ago, by what was then called the Sudan Interior (or, Inland) Mission, now ‘Serving In Mission’ (SIM). From their official publication, they state that the church (denomination) has more than 6 million members in over 6 thousand congregations spread right across Ethiopia. We are telling you all this, because we are presently “chatting” with Tesfaye about extending our ministry to Ethiopia to them also. This is an exciting prospect, and we pray for the Lord to guide us in how we may best fulfill this if it ever does come to fruition.

Reflections on the Mission to Ethiopia
Allow us to share some areas that are being impressed on our hearts while we carry out these mission trips to Ethiopia and as we prayerfully reflected together on what the Lord is doing in that land. Here are some areas calling for prayer:

• Let us continue to pray for the evangelisation of the various ethnic groups across length and breadth of Ethiopia. Let us pray for the planting and establishment of biblical churches across the country: north, west, east and south. This opportunity brings to our doorsteps an estimated 85 million people to be reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Let us continue to pray for Addis Kidan Baptist churches across Ethiopia to embrace a true biblical reformation in doctrine and worship and life. We have noted from our own experience in Zambia that without a true biblical reformation, many churches become susceptible to the ‘theological poison’ of the contemporary pseudo-charismatic movement. Let us also continue to pray for the Lord to open a door for us to continue our ministry in Ethiopia through the Addis Kidan Baptist Churches Association. Pray that the Lord would truly unite our hearts with the brethren in Ethiopia that the fruit of this fellowship will enrich our lives both for our Ethiopian brethren and for us in Zambia.
• Let us also continue to pray that the Lord may send a missionary (or missionaries) from among us in Zambia to Ethiopia to labour among His people there for a true work of biblical reformation. Pray that the Lord may open a door for the possibility of planting a biblically reforming “model work” on Ethiopian soil.
• Let us continue to pray for the challenge to translate and publish biblically solid and sound Christian literature and theological works into the Amharic language. In this regard, let us also continue praying for Solomon Abebe and his wife Alex. Solomon has been working with us in translation work during the preaching sessions. We are hoping to engage him also for the more demanding work of translating Christian literature from English to Amharic.

Oh, may the Lord our Saviour be pleased to enlarge our hearts for missions to Ethiopia: “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes” (Isaiah 54:2). Amen!

Ethiopia from Anthony Mathenia on Vimeo.

“The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh”

In every believer’s heart there is a constant struggle between the old nature and the new. The old nature is very active, and loses no opportunity of plying all the weapons of its deadly armoury against newborn grace; while on the other hand, the new nature is ever on the watch to resist and destroy its enemy. Grace within us will employ prayer, and faith, and hope, and love, to cast out the evil; it takes unto it the “whole armour of God,” and wrestles earnestly. These two opposing natures will never cease to struggle so long as we are in this world. The battle of “Christian” with “Apollyon” lasted three hours, but the battle of Christian with himself lasted all the way from the Wicket Gate in the river Jordan. The enemy is so securely entrenched within us that he can never be driven out while we are in this body: but although we are closely beset, and often in sore conflict, we have an Almighty helper, even Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, who is ever with us, and who assures us that we shall eventually come off more than conquerors through Him. With such assistance the new-born nature is more than a match for its foes. Are you fighting with the adversary to-day? Are Satan, the world, and the flesh, all against you? Be not discouraged nor dismayed. Fight on! For God Himself is with you; Jehovah Nissi is your banner, and Jehovah Rophi is the healer of your wounds. Fear not, you shall overcome, for who can defeat Omnipotence? Fight on, “looking unto Jesus”; and though long and stern be the conflict, sweet will be the victory, and glorious the promised reward.

“From strength to strength go on;
Wrestle, and fight, and pray,
Tread all the powers of darkness down,
And win the well-fought day.”

Let your supreme motive be to secure your own popularity and success. If you preach that way you’re not going to say anything to offend and if you don’t offend you can’t convert anybody. Let your sermons be literary, flowery, ornate, flowing beautifully so your hearers never remember the lack of content. Be sparing of thought lest your sermon contain enough truth to convert someone. Avoid preaching doctrines that are offensive to the carnal mind. Deal with sin in the abstract and make no allusion to the sins of your audience. Preach salvation by grace but ignore the condemned and lost condition of the sinner, lest he should understand what you mean by grace and sense his need of it. Make no appeal to the fears of sinners, but make the impression that they have no reason to fear, God loves them. Preach the love of God and ignore the holiness of His love. Do not rebuke the worldly tendencies of the church, lest you should hurt their feelings and convert some of them. Select your themes and so present them as to attract and flatter the wealthy, aristocratic, self-indulgent, extravagant, pleasure-seeking classes and you won’t convert any of them to the cross-bearing religion of Christ. Ridicule solemn earnestness in pulling sinners out of the fire and recommend by precept or example that jovial, fun-loving religion and sinners will have little respect for serious preaching. Cultivate fastidious tastes in your people by avoiding all disagreeable allusions to the last judgment and final retribution. Treat old and uncomfortable doctrines as obsolete and out of place. And so exhibit religion as to encourage the selfish pursuit of it. Make the impression upon sinners that their own safety and happiness is the supreme motive of being religious. And see to it that you say nothing to any of your hearers to demean him or her, but only what is flattering.

We used a different translator this time in an attempt to increase the precision of the doctrinal issues that we were hoping to explain.  This effort proved to be invaluable.  Solomon was highly recommended by a great missionary friend and did a remarkable job.  His grasp of the English language mixed with his understanding of biblical doctrine and his knowledge of the religious/church climate within Ethiopian culture seemed unmatched in my estimation.  We long to work with and fellowship with him again.

Dr. Grave, who is also a pediatrician, handled the topic of the gospel in light of the cross of Christ.  He discussed in detail the necessity of the cross in the salvation of sinners and why it was necessary for Christ to die.  Grave dealt with the centrality of the cross in the Christian message of hope to an otherwise hopeless world.  He worked through scores of benefits that we, as sinners, receive as a result of the crucifixion of Christ.  Grave’s approach to preaching the gospel is a precise, careful approach that is incredibly simple to understand and follow.  This was his second opportunity to work in Ethiopia and I look forward to his next trip.  He will be in Uruguay, South America during our next scheduled trip and therefore will not be able to participate.  Please pray for him as he ministers in his local church, to the sick and needy children of his village/town, and as he travels to preach the gospel around the globe.

Victor, who has been dubbed the director of the Mission to Ethiopia, also pastors a local church just outside the capital city of Zambia.  Victor’s role in the conference was to handle the gospel message from the gospel of John, using the teachings of John and Jesus to exhort the church and her leaders to apply and live upon the gospel continuously.  Victor began with the premise of John 20:31, “these (things) have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name”, and from there expounded several passages from John’s gospel.  His focus was on the seven signs and miracles of Jesus along with the seven “I AM” sayings of Jesus.  The conversions of Nicodemus and the woman at the well were carefully used as examples of Jesus saving both the religious and the irreligious sinner.  Then, Victor clearly showed the amazing benefits of Christ being our Good Shepherd from John 10 and the responsibility that ministers have of being healthy shepherds of God’s people.  Pray for Victor as he ministers in Lusaka and as he continues to work among Ethiopia’s churches.

I was as pleased as I could have been with the trip this time.  The teaching seemed well received and we trust that it will be applied by all who attended.  I am looking forward to the continued opportunity with these churches and to ones that have arisen as well.  We appreciate your prayers and continued support for the work abroad, as well as, for our day to day lives, whether in Ethiopia, Zambia, or North Mississippi.  The religious/church climate is more similar in all these lands than it may seem from the outside.  God and His gospel alone have the power to bring about the change we need.

“And they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).—“And you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

“That all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father.”—Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.—Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet.—He has a name written that no one knows but himself . . . King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Almighty—we cannot find him.—What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know!

Isa. 9:6; John 1:14; Ps. 138:2; Matt. 1:23; Matt. 1:21; John 5:23; Phil. 2:9; Eph. 1:21, 22; Rev. 19:12, 16; Job. 37:23; Prov. 30:4

“Anything, even if it be the blessed production of the Eternal Spirit of God, which takes the place of Christ, which shuts out Christ from the soul, is dangerous. In the great work of salvation, Christ must be everything or nothing; from Him solely, from Him entirely, from Him exclusively, must pardon and justification be drawn. Whatever, then, rises between the soul and Christ- whatever would tend to satisfy the soul in His absence- whatever would take His place in the affections, must be surrendered. Is it as the plucking out of a right eye? It must be yielded. Is it as the cutting off of a right hand? Let it go. Christ in his Godhead, Christ in his humanity, Christ in his great and finished work, Christ in his mediatorial fullness, must be all in all to the believer.”